It was in 1970s that Computer aided design or CAD came into\nthe market, following which it has been an invaluable tool to the designers helping\nthem in designing various parts and components. CAD has evolved over the years\nand is today a sophisticated program capable of creating extremely detailed 2D\nand 3D models. <\/p>
When it comes to the construction industry new concepts are\nbeing introduced regularly which automates and augments the whole building\nprocess. BIM is one of the new concepts quickly taking over the construction\nindustry. BIM is a process and methodology by which a team of architects,\nengineers and contractors work collaboratively to build on coordinated,\nreliable information about the project. <\/p>
Today, the professionals may face a dilemma when it comes to\nchoosing a software since, CAD and BIM both have its own share of advantages\nand disadvantages which need to be considered. Below we look at both CAD and\nBIM in detail, and which software to choose when. <\/p>
What is CAD? <\/strong><\/p> CAD or Computer-Aided Design involves the use of computers for creating designs and documents related to construction projects. Initially CAD was concerned with 2D CAD drawings of things such as floor plans, elevation etc. but today it has evolved to keep up with the changes in the construction industry and allows to create accurate 3D representations of the building and facilities. Today CAD Services<\/a> can be utilized to create preliminary designs and layouts, accomplish design details and calculations, as well as create 3-D models. CAD also aids with analysis, marketing and can be combined with rendering to provide photorealistic images of the design. <\/p> What is the BIM? <\/strong><\/p> BIM at its core is a digital representation of the actual\nbuilding, including functional systems and aesthetics. A BIM model made from\nall the relevant information regarding the project, allows for creation,\nmodification and monitoring of the whole construction project. It also enables seamless\nmanagement and enables sharing of data easily to all the stakeholders. The\nintelligent 3D model also allows for clash detection to make sure the end model\nis error free. Finally, BIM can also be combined with other dimensions like\n4D(schedule), 5D(cost), 6D(sustainability) and 7D (facility management). <\/p> What are the similarities\nbetween CAD and BIM?<\/strong><\/p> CAD and BIM do have certain similarities which initially creates\na predicament for the professionals choosing either of them. Firstly, even\nthough there is 2D CAD, both are capable of 3D modelling. Moreover, both CAD\nand BIM are prominently used in the AEC industry to create reliable, accurate\nmodels. They both also allow for documentation which can be used for on-site\nconstruction. Finally, both requires considerable skill and expertise to\noperate and reduces errors, waste of time and materials and overall benefits\nthe construction process. <\/p> What are the\ndifferences between CAD and BIM? <\/strong><\/p> More than the similarities however, the differences between\nCAD and BIM are noteworthy. The main difference lies with regards to the\ndesigning techniques. CAD involves line- to-line designs where BIM focuses on\nparameters to design full 3D models. In BIM all lines are connected in the\nmodel which makes it easy to make any modifications. Also in BIM there is a\nsynchronization between all the drawings such as plans, elevations, sections\netc. Since all these drawings are extracted from one BIM model, any change in\nthe design of 3D model will model will automatically result in the updating in\nall the drawings that are extracted. <\/p> Visualization is also different with BIM. BIM models can be\nzoomed in on and out of, expanded, contracted, and so on while CAD is more\nstatic. Another difference which is noteworthy is the amount of information\nthat can be managed by BIM. BIM models are information rich, they provide\ndetails about material quantities, schedules, manufacture’s details etc. This\nalso saves a lot of time since everything that is required with regards to the\nconstruction can be extracted from the BIM model.<\/p> In BIM all multidisciplinary models are combined in one\nmodel making it possible to detect any clashes right at the planning stage.\nMoreover, with conflict control tools like Navisworks appropriate tolerances\ncan be set and relevant clashes can be detected. <\/p> BIM or CAD — Which to\nUse?<\/strong><\/p> Weather the AEC firm chooses to go with BIM or CAD depends\non each individual project. 2D CAD is slowly becoming obsolete as contractors\nand designers are today looking for 3D visualization. In general, the question\nis whether to choose BIM or 3D CAD. Looking at the above advantages like\ninterference checking, virtual collision detection, forecasting construction\nrelated issues etc. BIM might be a better choice. <\/p> Another thing to consider is the scope of Work and Budget. When the scope of work of the project is small and more confined to one field of construction like the architectural field then designer might choose to go with CAD. However, in bigger projects with many disciplines involved going the BIM way will prove to simpler and more time saving. CAD software might be cheaper as compared to BIM, and sometimes that might seem that CAD is economical but with the precision and accuracy that BIM allows over CAD it may end up being more cost effective in the long run. Finally, the designer’s skill level with a particular software, the level of comfort and speed with the particular software also makes a difference in weather BIM or CAD is incorporated. However, the ideal practice would be to know the project requirements then make a choice or to simply outsource it to a reliable BIM Service provider or a CAD Company<\/a>. <\/p> Final Thoughts: <\/strong><\/p> Thus, there are clear distinctions between BIM and CAD\nsolutions. By understanding these differences and similarities between them the\ndesigner, architect or the engineer can make an informed decision about whether\nto choose BIM or CAD. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was in 1970s that Computer aided design or CAD came into the market, following which it has been an invaluable tool to the designers helping them in designing various parts and components. CAD has evolved over the years and is today a sophisticated program capable of creating extremely detailed 2D and 3D models. 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